The White House is preparing to provide support to drugstores and pharmaceutical companies in the ongoing battle over abortion pills.

 

According to two sources familiar with the matter, the White House is planning to reopen discussions with manufacturers of abortion pills and pharmacy chains on how to counter efforts to ban mifepristone in response to a Texas court ruling that suspended the approval of the drug.

Although a Washington state ruling contradicts the Texas ruling, more than a dozen states have passed laws restricting sales of the pill.

There are no retail pharmacies that are currently certified to dispense mifepristone, but many are going through the certification process.

Options being considered include having the U.S. Department of Justice support any legal challenges brought against manufacturers and pharmacies and providing legal advice on how to continue dispensing the pills.

However, it remains unclear which companies will be involved in these discussions. The White House's Gender Policy Council, Inter Governmental Affairs, and the vice president's office have been strategizing on how to make medical abortion available after the Texas judge ruled, anticipating Friday's outcome.